Please vote

Dear Editor:

The election of Sheriff of Archuleta County is one of the most important decisions facing the voters of Archuleta County.

Richard Valdez has spent the past 14 years of his life preparing to run for the office he now seeks. He started his law enforcement career as a patrol officer with the Town of Pagosa Springs Police Department, moving to the sheriff’s department as a deputy, promoting to corporal, sergeant, detective, detective sergeant, DHS fraud investigator, to his current position as undersheriff.

Rich is a native of Archuleta County, with family residing here for over 100 years. With his deep roots in our county, his only desire is to serve Archuleta County residents by operating his department with a high degree of honesty, integrity, and equal and fair treatment of all citizens. With his years of law enforcement experience within our county, along with his in-depth understanding of the law enforcement issues facing the county, he is uniquely qualified to be our next sheriff.

I have talked with many, many citizens of our county, many who have known Rich since he was a young boy, who use adjectives to describe him such as, strong, hard working, ethical, moral, honest, and a high degree of integrity.

By now most of you have received your mail-in ballots. Please join me by voting for Rich Valdez for the next sheriff of Archuleta County.

Remember, the right to vote is one of our most important rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Please vote.